Quick Read
- The 2026 World Baseball Classic begins March 4, with “Chinese Taipei” opening against Australia in Tokyo.
- Former Yankees pitcher Chien-Ming Wang will serve as the bullpen coach for Team Chinese Taipei at the WBC.
- Taiwanese sprinter Chen Wen-pu won a silver medal and set a new national record in the men’s 60m at the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships on February 7, 2026.
- Chen Wen-pu’s 6.60-second sprint was just 0.01 seconds behind the gold medalist.
- The “Chinese Taipei” designation is a diplomatic compromise allowing Taiwan’s participation in international sports.
TAIPEI (Azat TV) – The designation “Chinese Taipei” is once again at the forefront of global sports headlines as the 2026 World Baseball Classic approaches, with the team scheduled to open the tournament on March 4 against Australia in Tokyo. This renewed visibility comes amidst a week of significant athletic achievements by athletes from Taiwan, highlighted by sprinter Chen Wen-pu’s silver medal at the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships, bringing the complex naming convention back into public discourse.
The upcoming World Baseball Classic will see “Chinese Taipei” compete in Pool C in Tokyo, Japan, facing off against Australia in their opening game. This major international event provides a prominent platform for the team, whose roster includes promising talents like starting pitchers Hsu Jo-Hsi and Gu Lin Ruei-Yang. Adding to the team’s professional pedigree, former New York Yankees starting pitcher Chien-Ming Wang has been named the bullpen coach for Team Chinese Taipei, as reported by Sporting News. Wang, the first Taiwanese player in Yankees franchise history, brings a wealth of experience, having led Major League Baseball with 19 wins in 2006.
“Chinese Taipei” Returns to Global Baseball Stage
The 2026 World Baseball Classic, set to begin on March 4, will feature 20 national teams competing across various pools. “Chinese Taipei” is slated to play in Pool C, alongside Japan, Australia, South Korea, and Czechia. Their inaugural match against Australia will kick off the tournament’s schedule, according to Fox Sports. The tournament’s prominence ensures that the “Chinese Taipei” designation will be seen and discussed globally, particularly as the team advances through the competition.
The roster for “Chinese Taipei” includes several notable players. Hsu Jo-Hsi, who had a dominant season with the CPBL’s Wei Chuan Dragons, recording a 2.05 ERA and 0.807 WHIP, secured a contract with Nippon Professional Baseball’s Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks despite interest from Major League Baseball teams. Gu Lin Ruei-Yang, another key pitcher, threw a complete game shutout with NPB’s Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters last summer, following a stellar career with the CPBL’s Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions. Their performances will be crucial as the team aims for success on the international stage.
Taiwanese Sprinter’s Record-Breaking Performance
While the baseball team prepares for its global showcase, Taiwanese athletes have already made headlines this month. Sprinter Chen Wen-pu, 27, clinched a silver medal in the men’s 60 meters at the 12th Asian Indoor Athletics Championships in Tianjin, China, on Friday, February 7, 2026. Chen’s impressive time of 6.60 seconds not only earned him a medal but also set a new national record for Taiwan, surpassing the previous record of 6.68 seconds set in 1988 by Cheng Hsin-fu, Focus Taiwan reported.
Chen’s achievement is particularly noteworthy given his recent recovery from an Achilles tendon injury sustained at the 2022 Asian Games. After a year of physical therapy, his return to professional competition has been marked by strong performances, including a 9.95-second clocking in the men’s 100m final at Taiwan’s 114th National Games last October. His coach, Sun Nien-tsu, praised Chen’s performance, acknowledging the challenge posed by gold medalist Deng Xinrui and highlighting Chen’s success despite Taiwan’s lack of dedicated indoor sprint training facilities. Chen is also a prospective representative for the 2026 Asian Games in Japan.
The Significance of “Chinese Taipei” in International Competitions
The use of “Chinese Taipei” in international sports organizations, including the Olympics and the World Baseball Classic, is a result of a 1981 agreement known as the Nagoya Resolution. This accord was established to allow athletes from Taiwan to participate in international events without implying sovereign status, a sensitive issue due to Beijing’s “One China” policy. The designation aims to navigate the complex geopolitical landscape, enabling cultural and athletic exchange while adhering to specific diplomatic protocols.
For many, the name “Chinese Taipei” represents a compromise that allows athletes to compete globally, even as domestic reporting and public sentiment often refer to the entity simply as “Taiwan.” The frequent appearance of this designation in high-profile events like the World Baseball Classic ensures its continued presence in global news cycles, serving as a constant reminder of the unique political circumstances surrounding Taiwan’s international participation.
The sustained visibility of “Chinese Taipei” in major international athletic events underscores the enduring diplomatic compromise that allows Taiwanese athletes to compete globally, simultaneously highlighting their achievements and the complex geopolitical framework within which they operate.